Augmenting an online self-directed intervention for gambling disorder with a single motivational interview: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Despite the success of gold standard cognitive-behavioral therapy for problem and disordered gambling, the majority of individuals with gambling problems do not seek or receive professional treatment. Thus, the development of less intrusive self-directed interventions has been encouraged. Bibliotherapy for problem gambling has shown promise, both alone and in combination with motivational interviews, but there is still a lack of online self-directed intervention research. The current randomized controlled trial proposes to assess the additive benefit of a single digital motivational interview delivered in conjunction with an online self-directed treatment program for problem gambling and gambling disorder. Methods A two-arm randomized controlled trial will be conducted, wherein eligible participants (N=270) will be recruited across Canada via internet advertisements posted to several platforms. All participants will receive access to an online self-directed gambling intervention program. Participants will be randomly assigned to either complete the online program alone or receive a digital motivational interview, conducted through an online audioconferencing platform (i.e., Microsoft Teams) to supplement the online program. The primary outcomes of gambling severity, frequency, and expenditures will be tracked along with secondary outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, general distress, alcohol use, and online program user data) over a 24-month period. It is expected that participants in both groups will experience a reduction in symptoms across the board, but more substantial improvements will be observed in the group that receives a supplemental motivational interview. Discussion The results of this trial will expand upon prior gambling intervention research by informing best practices for the provision of online self-help for problem gambling. Trial registration ISRCTN ISRCTN13009468. Registered on 7 July 2020.

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Augmenting an online self-directed intervention for gambling disorder with a single motivational interview: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-380839/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Brad W. Brazeau ◽

David C. Hodgins ◽

John A. Cunningham ◽

Kylie Bennett ◽

Anthony Bennett

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Problem Gambling ◽

Motivational Interview ◽

Gambling Disorder ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Intervention Research ◽

Online Program ◽

Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background: Despite the success of gold standard cognitive-behavioural therapy for problem and disordered gambling, the majority of individuals with gambling problems do not seek or receive professional treatment. Thus, the development of less intrusive self-directed interventions has been encouraged. Bibliotherapy for problem gambling has shown promise, both alone and in combination with motivational interviews, but there is still a lack of online self-directed intervention research. The current randomised controlled trial proposes to assess the efficacy of an online self-directed treatment program for problem gambling and gambling disorder, both alone and in combination with a single motivational interview delivered digitally. Methods: A two-arm randomised controlled trial will be conducted, wherein eligible participants (N=270) will be recruited across Canada via internet advertisements posted to several platforms. All participants will receive access to an online self-directed gambling intervention program. Participants will be randomly assigned to either complete the online program alone or receive a digital motivational interview, conducted through an online audioconferencing platform (i.e., Microsoft Teams) to supplement the online program. Gambling severity, frequency, and expenditures will be tracked along with other mental health outcome data over a 24-month period. It is expected that participants in both groups will experience a reduction in symptoms across the board, but more substantial improvements will be observed in the group that receives a supplemental motivational interview.Discussion: The results of this trial will expand upon prior gambling intervention research by informing best practices for the provision of online self-help for problem gambling. Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN13009468. Registered on 7 July 2020 at https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN13009468.

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Behavioral couples therapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy for problem gambling: a randomized controlled trial

Addiction ◽

10.1111/add.14900 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 115 (7) ◽

pp. 1330-1342 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anders Nilsson ◽

Kristoffer Magnusson ◽

Per Carlbring ◽

Gerhard Andersson ◽

Clara Hellner

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽

Problem Gambling ◽

Couples Therapy ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Cognitive Behavioral ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Behavioral Couples Therapy

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Developing and Testing the Effectiveness of a Novel Online Integrated Treatment for Problem Gambling and Tobacco Smoking: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-26995/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Elena Bilevicius ◽

Alanna Single ◽

Chris Baumgartner ◽

Van Bui ◽

Tyler Kempe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Problem Gambling ◽

Tobacco Smoking ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Integrated Treatment ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Secondary Outcomes ◽

Gambling Activities

Abstract Background: Gambling and tobacco smoking are highly comorbid among North American adults. However, there is a paucity of treatment options that are integrated (i.e., targeting both gambling and tobacco smoking simultaneously), accessible, and evidence based.Methods: The aim of this two-arm randomized controlled trial is to examine the effectiveness of an online, self-guided integrated treatment for problem gambling and tobacco smoking. A target sample of 214 participants will be recruited and be randomized into either an eight-week integrated or gambling-only control condition. Both conditions will consist of seven online modules following cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing principles. Our three primary outcomes are (1) number of days gambled, (2) money spent on gambling activities, and (3) time spent in gambling activities. Secondary outcomes include gambling disorder symptoms, cigarette use, and nicotine dependence symptoms. Assessments will be completed at baseline, at completion (i.e., eight-weeks from baseline), and follow-up (i.e., 24-weeks from baseline). Generalized linear mixed modelling will be used to evaluate our primary and secondary outcomes. We expect that participants receiving online integrated treatment will show larger reductions in gambling relative to those receiving a control gambling only intervention. We further hypothesize that reductions in smoking will mediate these group differences.Discussion: The rates of problem gambling and tobacco smoking are high in North America; yet, the treatment options for both are limited, with no integrated treatments available. If supported, our intervention will be a cost-effective and accessible way to improve treatments for co-occurring problem gambling and tobacco use.Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov; ID NCT03614884. Registered August 3, 2019;

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